Computerized system for creating interactive electronic books

ABSTRACT

A computerized system and method for creating interactive electronic books over a computerized network. The system includes an effects library module having a plurality of interactive effects wizard modules configured to automate code generation for an effect, the effects include performing a mathematical function on user input; animating a graphic on a trigger; playing an author uploaded audio file on a trigger; and scrolling a user view on a trigger other than a usual scroll trigger; triggering code generated by an interactive effects wizard module; delaying operation of code generated by an interactive effects wizard module; requesting a user input and storing the same in memory; operating a user interface effect; changing a display characteristic of a displayed object; selecting a displayed item; sending data on a trigger; controlling the display of media by a user; randomizing an effect, and etc.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of, under 35 U.S.C. §121, and claims priority to, under 35 U.S.C. § 121, U.S. Continuationapplication Ser. No. 15/444,595 entitled COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM FORCREATING INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC BOOKS, by Antonio Gentile, filed on Feb.28, 2017. This Application is a Continuation Application of, under 35U.S.C. § 121, and claims priority to, under 35 U.S.C. § 121, U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/194,707, entitled COMPUTERIZEDSYSTEM FOR CREATING INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC BOOKS, by Antonio Gentile,filed on Mar. 1, 2014. This invention claims priority, under 35 U.S. C.§ 120, to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/861,912 toAntonio Gentile filed on Aug. 2, 2013, which is incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electronic books, specifically to acomputerized system and method for creating interactive electronicbooks.

Description of the Related Art

An electronic book or e-book is a publication in digital form,consisting of text, images, or both, readable on computers, tablets orother electronic devices. Although sometimes defined as “an electronicversion of a printed book”, many e-books exist without any printedequivalent. Commercially produced and sold e-books are usually intendedto be read on dedicated e-book readers, however, almost anysophisticated electronic device that features a controllable viewingscreen, including computers, many mobile phones, and all smart phonesmay also be used to read e-books.

While an e-book reader costs much more than one book, the electronictexts are at times cheaper. Moreover, a great share of e-books areavailable online for free, minus the minimal costs of the electronicsrequired. For example, all fiction from before the year 1900 is in thepublic domain. Also, libraries lend more current e-book titles forlimited times, free samples are available of many publications, andthere are other lending models being piloted as well. E-books may beprinted for less than the price of traditional new books using newon-demand book printers. An e-book can be purchased/borrowed,downloaded, and used immediately, whereas when one buys or borrows abook, one must go to a bookshop, a home library, or public libraryduring limited hours, or wait for a delivery.

Some e-books are interactive and/or include programmed effects, such asbut not limited to animations, spreadsheet-style functions, etc.However, creating such an e-book requires the author to either be aprogrammer or to hire a programmer. Accordingly, most e-book authors arelimited to creating e-books without any special effects.

Some improvements have been made in the field. Examples of referencesrelated to the present invention are described below in their own words,and the supporting teachings of each reference are incorporated byreference herein:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,631,013, issued to Parsons et al., discloses a book orother digital content is represented as a set of objects in a relationaldatabase schema format called IBF (Interactive Book Format) and thecontrolling system software. This design provides for viewing books in amanner that coordinates additional information and provides interactionwith the original book, while not disturbing the original publicationand copyrighted material and even protecting that copyrighted materialfrom piracy by supporting industry standard digital rights managementsecurity features. The inventive technique includes the use ofconversion engines which will aid publishers in converting existingbooks into IBF format. The inventive technology further provides theability to read any book in IBF format on a computer using refreshableBraille display, allowing the reader the advantage of reading all booksin this format without having to purchase expensive, specially madeBraille books.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,916, issued to Shade, discloses methods for creatingcustomized children's storybooks with fingerprint art usingfingerprint-ready image templates stored in association with a softwareapplication running on a standard home computer system. The systems andmethods include the use of preconfigured templates and prompteddiscussions that elicit responses from the child to create the text forthe storybook. Initially, the appropriate size of the child'sfingerprint is determined and the storybook scenes are scaled to fitthat size. Fingerprint-ready image templates are used to facilitate thecreation of fingerprint art. An image template is formed by includingwithin it at least one fingerprint-sized area. A completed image isformed by inserting a fingerprint into the fingerprint-sized area, andif desired, coloring the image or drawing a scene around the image. Inone technique, an entire scene is produced including one or morefingerprint-ready image template(s). When the storybook scenes arecompleted the software application compiles the book pages and printsthe same. The child then personalizes the scene images with theirfingerprint and the storybook is bound for repeated reading.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No.: 2013/0117665, by Tagliaferri etal., discloses a system and method of individualized media publishingincluding a customization server configured to receive an electronicwork from a content creator, create a custom field within the electronicwork, and store the custom field in a database memory storage device.The system and method receives a request for a customized electronicwork from a consumer, and transmits a notification to the contentcreator informing the content creator of the request for the customizedelectronic work. The system inserts customized content created by thecontent creator into the custom field and creates the customizedelectronic work. The customized electronic work may then be delivered tothe consumer.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No.: 2012/0171653, by Kwon et al.,discloses a method of creating a relationship diagram for electronicbook (or e-book) contents in a reader includes determining whether thereis a relationship diagram creation request in a current page. The methodincludes, if there is the relationship diagram creation request,determining whether there is a relationship diagram associated with aprevious page. In addition, the method includes, if there is therelationship diagram associated with the previous page, displaying therelationship diagram in an input window. Further, the method includes,if the relationship diagram displayed in the input window is modifiedand there is a save request, allowing the modified relationship diagramto be saved in accordance with the current page.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No.: 2002/0124048, by Zhou,discloses a web based interactive multimedia story authoring system andmethod are provided including a user part, a computer server part, and ameans of communication part. A user accesses a web site through themeans of communication, the web site being hosted by the computerserver. The user is able to create stories while being logged on to theweb site, through selection of various story components as arranged andselected by the user. Story components may include text, background,character/objects, music/audio, or other files stored at the computerserver, as well as files which may be uploaded to the computer server bythe user. The web site provides various user executable commands to add,delete, or modify components of a story. The web based authoring systemallows for publication of stories to a worldwide audience, andfacilitates writing competitions to anyone having access to theworldwide web. User accounts may be established for frequent usersallowing a user to save and publish stories. Because the systems webbased, there is virtually a limitless amount of data to choose from interms of components to make up a particular story.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No.: 2013/0124980, by Hudson et al.,discloses A digital content creation platform can include a variety offeatures for creating an interactive digital publication. Thefunctionality can include adding one or more sections, one or more pagesto a section, and one or more layers to a page, such as box, story,image, video, table, map, and annotation layer types. Additionally, thedigital content creation platform can include functionality to addmultimedia content layer, link layers, and/or add some other action,such as an interactivity feature or behavior. The digital contentcreation platform can also include functionality to generate a templatefrom the current layout or convert the current layout to a differenttemplate layout. At any point during the design, the digital contentcreation platform can be used to preview or run the digital publication.Finally, after adding content, the digital content creation platform cancompile the digital publication for distribution.

The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantageswhich include being limited in use, being difficult to use, beinglimited in application, being limited in animation, being limited infunctionality, being limited in distribution, being limited ininteractivity, not enabling an author to generate special effects withintheir e-book, being difficult to program, not including enough options,failing to connect developers with authors, failing to facilitatecollaboration, failing to track authoring progress, being limited indistribution format, failing to register page items in relation to eachother, etc.

What is needed is a computerized system and method for creatinginteractive electronic books that solves one or more of the problemsdescribed herein and/or one or more problems that may come to theattention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with thisspecification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the presentstate of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currentlyavailable computerized systems and methods for creating interactiveelectronic books. Accordingly, the present invention has been developedto provide a system and method for creating interactive e-books over anetwork.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a computerizedsystem for creating interactive electronic books over a network. Thesystem may include an effects module that may have a plurality ofinteractive effects wizard modules that may automate code generation forcustomized interactive effects in electronic books. The effects librarymodule may include a wizard management module that may facilitateuploading of interactive effects wizard modules into the effects librarymodule and manages conditional user access to the same based on settingselected by authors of the associated interactive effects wizard module.

The interactive effects wizard modules may be configured to automatecode generation for an effect selected from the group of effects thatmay consist of: performing a mathematical function on user input;animating graphic on a trigger; changing a background to a custombackground on a trigger; changing text in a body of text to a user inputtext on a trigger; changing text in a body of text on a trigger; playingan author uploaded audio file on a trigger; and scrolling a user view ona trigger other than a usual scroll trigger; triggering code generatedby an interactive effects wizard module; delaying operation of codegenerated by an interactive effects wizard module; requesting a userinput and storing the same in memory; operating a user interface effect;changing a display characteristic of a displayed object; selecting adisplayed item; sending data on a trigger; controlling the display ofmedia by a user; and randomizing an effect.

The system may include a first database module that may have arelational database that may be stored in a memory device that storesinformation associated with electronic book generation that may includeinformation related to selected interactive effects wizard modules. Therelational database may track the relation of display objects such thatthe relational display of the same is selectably preserved duringauthoring of an electronic book.

The computerized system may include a second database module that mayhave a database that may not be a relational database. The database thatis not a relational database may be a textual data format The system mayinclude a database federation module that may have a processorfunctionally coupled between the first database and the second databasesuch that changes to one of the first and second databases may beautomatically updated in the other.

The computerized system may include a user interface module that may befunctionally coupled to each of the effects library module and the firstdatabase module such that a user may selectably manipulate the same increation of an electronic book. The user interface module may include anetwork module that may have a network communication device over anetwork. The relational database may store authoring progressinformation and wherein the user interface module may use such storedauthoring progress information to return o an editing state on requestfrom an author. The system may include a template management module thatmay include a library of templates effects selectable by an author foruse in authoring an electronic book.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a method ofcreating interactive electronic books using a computerized system over anetwork. The method may include the step of automatically generatingcode for creating interactive effects in electronic books in response toauthor input using an effects library module including a plurality ofinteractive effects wizard modules. The method may include storinginformation associated with electronic book generation includinginformation related to selected interactive effects wizard modules usinga first database module including a relational database stored in amemory device and a second database module including a database that isnot a relational database.

The method may include the step of automatically updating changes to oneof the first and second databases when the other is updated using adatabase federation module including a processor functionally coupledbetween the first database and the second database. The method ofcreating interactive electronic books may include the step of selectablymanipulating one of the first and second databases in creation of anelectronic book in response to user commands received over a networkmodule including a network communication device over a network.

The method may include the step of facilitating uploading of interactiveeffects wizard modules into the effects library module and managingconditional user access to the same based on setting selected by authorsof the associated interactive effects wizard module. The method mayinclude storing authoring progress information and returning an editinginterface to an editing state on request from an author based on storedauthoring progress information. The method of creating interactiveelectronic books may include the step of providing a template managementmodule that includes a library of templates effects selectable by anauthor for use in authoring n electronic book. The method may alsoinclude the step of tracking the relation of display objects such thatthe relational display of the same is selectably preserved duringauthoring of an electronic book.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, hut do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that theinvention can be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, amore particular description of the invention briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that areillustrated in the appended drawing(s). It is noted that the drawings ofthe invention are not to scale. The drawings are mere schematicsrepresentations, not intended to portray specific parameters of theinvention. Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered tobe limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawing(s), in which:

FIG. 1 is a network diagram of a computerized system tor creatinginteractive electronic books, according to one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a module diagram of an effects library module of acomputerized system for creating interactive electronic books, accordingto one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a module diagram of a first database module of a computerizedsystem for creating interactive electronic books, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a module diagram of a second database module of a computerizedsystem for creating interactive electronic books, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a module diagram of a database federation module of acomputerized system for creating interactive electronic books, accordingto one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a module diagram of a user interface module of a computerizedsystem for creating interactive electronic books, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of creating interactive electronicbooks over a computerized network, according to one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 8 is a system diagram of a computerized system for creatinginteractive electronic books showing interfacing amongst authors,developers and designers, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating functions of a computerizedsystem for creating interactive electronic books, according to oneembodiment of the invention, according to one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a prophetic example of an electronic book template inoperation, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 11-16 are screenshots of a computerized system and method ofcreating interactive electronic books, according to one embodiment ofthe invention; and

FIG. 17 is a screenshot of a user interface for an interactive effectswizard module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodimentsillustrated in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations andfurther modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, andany additional applications of the principles of the invention asillustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant artand having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered withinthe scope of the invention.

Many of the functional units described in this specification have beenlabeled as modules in order to more particularly emphasize theirimplementation independence, For example, a module may be implemented asa hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays,off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or otherdiscrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmablehardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmablearray logic, programmable logic devices or the like. Modules may also beimplemented in software for execution by various types of processors. Anidentified module of programmable or executable code may, for instance,comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructionswhich may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, orfunction.

Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not bephysically located together, but may comprise disparate instructionsstored in different locations which, when joined logically together,comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.Indeed, a module and/or a program of executable code may be a singleinstruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed overseveral different code segments, among different programs, and acrossseveral memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be identifiedand illustrated herein within modules, and may be embodied in anysuitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure.The operational data may be collected as a single data set, or may bedistributed over different locations including over different storagedevices, and may exist, at least partially, merely as electronic signalson a system or network.

The various system components and/or modules discussed herein mayinclude one or more of the following: a host server, motherboard,network, chipset or other computing system including a processor forprocessing digital data; a memory device coupled to a processor forstoring digital data; an input digitizer coupled to a processor forinputting digital data; an application program stored in a memory deviceand accessible by a processor for directing processing of digital databy the processor; a display device coupled to a processor and/or amemory device for displaying information derived from digital dataprocessed by the processor; and a plurality of databases includingmemory device(s) and/or hardware/software driven logical data storagestructure(s).

Various databases/memory devices described herein may include recordsassociated with one or more functions, purposes, intended beneficiaries,benefits and the like of one or more modules as described herein or asone of ordinary skill in the art would recognize as appropriate and/orlike data useful in the operation of the present invention.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, any computers discussedherein may include an operating system, such as but not limited to:Andriod, iOS, BSD, IBM z/OS, Windows Phone, Windows CE, Palm OS, WindowsVista, NT, 95/98/2000, OS X, OS2; QNX, UNIX; GNU/Linux; Solaris; MacOS;and etc., as well as various conventional support software and driverstypically associated with computers. The computers may be in a home,industrial or business environment with access to a network. In anexemplary embodiment, access is through the Internet through acommercially-available web- browser software package, including but notlimited to Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari.

The present invention may be described herein in terms of functionalblock components, functions, options, screen shots, user interactions,optional selections, various processing steps, features, userinterfaces, and the like. Each of such described herein may be one ormore modules in exemplary embodiments of the invention even if notexpressly named herein as being a module. It should be appreciated thatsuch functional blocks and etc. may be realized by any number ofhardware and/or software components configured to perform the specifiedfunctions. For example, the present invention may employ variousintegrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, processingelements, logic elements, scripts, look-up tables, and the like, whichmay carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or moremicroprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, the softwareelements of the present invention may be implemented with anyprogramming or scripting language such as but not limited to Eiffel,Haskell, C, C++, Java, Python, COBOL, Ruby, assembler, Groovy, PERL,Ada, Visual Basic, SQL Stored Procedures, AJAX, Bean Shell, andextensible markup language (XML), with the various algorithms beingimplemented with any combination of data structures, objects, processes,routines or other programming elements. Further, it should be noted thatthe present invention may employ any number of conventional techniquesfor data transmission, signaling, data processing, network control, andthe like. Still further, the invention may detect or prevent securityissues with a client-side scripting language, such as JavaScript,VBScript or the like.

Additionally, many of the functional units and/or modules herein aredescribed as being “in communication” with other functional units, thirdparty devices/systems and/or modules. Being “in communication” refers toany manner and/or way in which functional units and/or modules, such as,but not limited to, computers, networks, mobile devices, program blocks,chips, scripts, drivers, instruction sets, databases and other types ofhardware and/or software, may be in communication with each other. Somenon-limiting examples include communicating, sending, and/or receivingdata and metadata via: a wired network, a wireless network, sharedaccess databases, circuitry, phone lines, intranet backbones,transponders, network cards, busses, satellite signals, electricsignals, electrical and magnetic fields and/or pulses, and/or so forth.

As used herein, the term “network” includes any electroniccommunications means which incorporates both hardware and softwarecomponents of such. Communication among the parties in accordance withthe present invention may be accomplished through any suitablecommunication channels, such as, for example, a telephone network, anextranet, an intranet, Internet, point of interaction device (point ofsale device, personal digital assistant, cellular phone, kiosk, etc.),online communications, off-line communications, wireless communications,transponder communications, local area network (LAN), wide area network(WAN), networked or linked devices and/or the like. Moreover, althoughthe invention may be implemented with TCP/IP communications protocols,the invention may also be implemented using other protocols, includingbut not limited to IPX, Appletalk, IP-6, NetBIOS, OSI or any number ofexisting or future protocols. If the network is in the nature of apublic network, such as the Internet, it may be advantageous to presumethe network to be insecure and open to eavesdroppers. Specificinformation related to the protocols, standards, and applicationsoftware utilized in connection with the Internet is generally known tothose skilled in the art and, as such, need not be detailed herein. See,for example, DILIP NAIK, INTERNET STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS (1998); JAVA 2COMPLETE, various authors, (Sybex 1999); DEBORAH RAY AND ERIC RAY,MASTERING HTML 4.0 (1997); and LOSHIN, TCP/IP CLEARLY EXPLAINED (1997),the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example”or similar language means that a particular feature, structure,characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an“example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, butdo not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to differentembodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, referenceto the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or morefeatures, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarilyrelated, dissimilar, the same, etc.

Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be consideredindependent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use ofsimilar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore,where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” theidentified embodiment is independent of any other embodimentscharacterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features,functions, and the like described herein are considered to be able to becombined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or artmay direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.

As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,”“characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive oropen-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements ormethod steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the morerestrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”

FIG. 1 is a network diagram of a computerized system for creatinginteractive electronic books, according to one embodiment of theinvention. There is shown a computerized system 10 for creatinginteractive electronic books over a network including an effects librarymodule 12, a first database module 16, a second database module 22, adatabase federation module 26, and an user interface module 30 each incommunication with each other over a computerized network 45.

The illustrated computerized system 10 for creating interactiveelectronic books over a network 45 includes an effects library module12. The effects library module 12 is in communication with the modulesand components of the computerized system 10. The effects library module12 is configured to automate code generation for customized interactiveeffects in electronic books. Such may be accomplished wherein there is alibrary of functions, each function performing an interactive effect andthe effects library module interfaces with the same such that selectionsmade by an author when implementing the interactive effect into theireBook are stored as arguments of the function. In another non-limitingembodiment, such selections are entered into the function code itselfusing a search and replace tool and then the function code that has beenso modified is appended into and functionally coupled to the stored codeassociated with the eBook being created.

The effects 12 is also configured to facilitate uploading of interactiveeffects wizard modules (functions, wizards, etc.) into the effectslibrary module and manages conditional user access to the same based onsetting selected by authors of the associated interactive effects wizardmodule. Basically, from an author's point of view, they are presentedwith a great variety of effects modules from which to select that havebeen uploaded and prepared by developers. The author need not be able tocode to select and use these tools and may customize them to the degreeallowed by the developer through the interface tools of the effectslibrary module. In doing so, the tools/effect is then automaticallyintegrated into the eBook being authored by the author. Accordingly,authors may select from and use a wide variety of effects within theireBooks without needing to hire or even comprehend programming. This,advantageously, opens up the full functionality of eBooks to authorswithout substantially increasing the authoring costs.

The illustrated effects library module 12 is configured to automate codegeneration for various effects, such as but not limited to thoseselected from the group of effects consisting of: performing amathematical function on user input; animating a graphic on a trigger;changing a background to a custom background on a trigger; changing textin a body of text to a user input text on a trigger; changing text in abody of text on a trigger; playing an author uploaded audio file on atrigger; and scrolling a user view on a trigger other than a usualscroll trigger; triggering code generated by an interactive effectswizard module; delaying operation of code generated by an interactiveeffects wizard module; requesting a user input and storing the same inmemory; operating a user interface effect; changing a displaycharacteristic of a displayed object; selecting a displayed item;sending data on a trigger; controlling the display of media by a user;and randomizing an effect. Accordingly, an author may have access tosuch effects and may integrate the same into an eBook by selecting theeffect, selecting one or morecharacteristics/properties/targets/inputs/etc. and placing the effect ina desired location and/or connected to one or more media files, textbodies, pages, other effects or the like, such as but not limited to bydrag-and-drop operation on the body of the representation of the effectin the authoring interface.

The illustrated computerized system 10 includes a first database module16 in communication with the effects library module 12 over a network45. The first database module 16 is configured to store informationassociated with electronic book generation including information relatedto selected interactive effects wizard modules. The first database 16stores authoring progress information such as but not limited to aposition of a cursor, a partial data selection set within a wizard, alist of open wizards/modules, an instruction set to a collaborationpartner (e.g. developer, designer, author, etc.), and the like andcombinations thereof. The first database module 16 is also configured totrack the relation of display objects such that the relational displayof the same is selectably preserved during authoring of an electronicbook. Such advantageously allows for the system to generate eBookswherein pagination is predefined and rules about such are enforcedduring the use/viewing of the eBook. Further, such relationalinformation may be utilized by the system to associate editingfunctions/tools/devices with particular portions of the stored eBook asit is being created and thus allows the system to do editing/authoringfunctions such as but not limited to “remembering” where the author leftoff in the creation process during the most recent session, placingmarkers on unfinished portions/pages, leaving editor notes inassociation with specific display objects, assigning debugging tasks todevelopers, assigning design change tasks to designers of templates, andthe like and combinations thereof. Thus the relational database providesfor enhanced functionality, interactivity, cooperation/collaboration,and ease of use for those involved in the process (especially theauthor).

The illustrated computerized system 10 includes a second database module22 in communication with the first database module 16 and the effectslibrary module 12 over a computerized network 45. The second databasemodule 22 is not a relational database and therefore is able to storeinformation in a more free-flowing format, such as but not limited tobeing stored in an XML format, a textual data format and/or othernon-SQL databases such as but not limited to the non-SQL databasescommonly known as the Google databases. Advantageously, non-paginatedeBooks may be easily published from such a format.

The illustrated system 10 includes a database federation module 26 incommunication with the modules and components of the system 10 over acomputerized network 45. The database federation module 26 isfunctionally coupled between the first database 16 and the seconddatabase 22 such that changes to one of the first and second databasesare automatically updated in the other. Such a module may include one ormore rules/scripts/protocols/etc. for converting, transmitting, storing,recording, replacing, cleaning, verifying, appending and otherwiseupdating data in one or more databases such as but not limited to thatdescribed in US Patent No. 20050251812 to Jerry Hayward, which isincorporated by reference herein for its supporting teachings.

Accordingly, while an author may be building a paginated eBook, anon-paginated version may be stored simultaneously and contemporaneouslywith the creation of the paginated version of the book. Such may beuseful in various editing/debugging processes and/or in increasing thepublication options available to the author once the eBook is finished.

The illustrated computerized system 10 includes a user interface module30 in communication with the modules and components of the system 10over a network 45. The user interface module 30 is functionally coupledto each of the effects library module 12 and the first database module16 such that a user selectably manipulates the same in creation of anelectronic book. The user interface module 30 uses stored authoringprogress information to return to an editing state on request from anauthor or user. Such a user interface module may include a graphicaluser interface (GUI) and/or one or more interface devices (e.g. mouse,keyboard, display, etc.) as well as non-transitory computer-readableinstructions for operation of the same and communication therethrough toone or more of the other modules described herein.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a method ofcreating interactive electronic books using a computerized system over anetwork. The method includes one or more of the following steps:automatically generating code for creating interactive effects inelectronic books in response to author input using an effects librarymodule including a plurality of interactive effects wizard modules;storing information associated with electronic book generation includinginformation related to selected interactive effects wizard modules usinga first database module including a relational database stored in amemory device and a second database module including a database that isnot a relational database; automatically updating changes to one of thefirst and second databases when the other is updated using a databasefederation module including a processor functionally coupled between thefirst database and the second database; selectably manipulating one ofthe first and second databases in creation of an electronic book inresponse to user commands received over a network module including anetwork communication device over a network; facilitating uploading ofinteractive effects wizard modules into the effects library module;managing conditional user access to the same based on setting selectedby authors of the associated interactive effects wizard module; storingauthoring progress information; returning an editing interface to anediting state on request from an author based on stored authoringprogress information; providing a template management module thatincludes a library of templates effects selectable by an author for usein authoring an electronic book; and/or tracking the relation of displayobjects such that the relational display of the same is selectablypreserved during authoring of an electronic book.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is an internet basedtool that allows for authoring of an interactive e-book. The tool may becloud-based, by employing a set of templates which encapsulateprogramming code which may include three parts, such as but not limitedto: HTML, Javascript, and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and may bepublished using the ePub 3.0 standard or another standard as desired.ePub is a free and open eBook standard by the International DigitalPublishing Forum (IDPF) whose files generally have the extension“.epub.” The most recent, as of the time of preparing this application,specifications and changes to ePub may be found athttp://www.idpf.org/epub/30/spec/epub30-changes.html.

Content may be interactive and may be provided by the user/author incollaboration with one or more collaborators, such as but not limited todevelopers, designers, editors, other authors, critics, readers and thelike and combinations thereof. There may be standalone software (e.g.not cloud-based) that may create eBooks. The following are otherexamples for forms and formats to which the system may communicate,puclish, or otherwise be associated with.: iBook Author by Apple,INKLING Platform, etc.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is an internet basedtool for processing the publishing of an e-book in a non-proprietaryform. Such a tool may include one or more modules such that an authordoes not need to hire a programmer to do the interactive parts of thee-book, because wizards/templates are available that the author cansimply make selections and define how the interactive effects areassociated with the eBook and the system automatically generates theneeded code for the effect(s) to function. Such a system may be used asa free-flow approach to building an e-book, instead of being limited toonly a page by page approach, which the page approach mandates font sizeand placement of everything. Accordingly, such data may be stored in anon-relational database, even if other information, such as but notlimited to authoring/editing information, is stored in a relationaldatabase that may be federated with the non-relational database. Such asystem may include interactive features that automatically generate codeneeded to: generate animations, data entry and recovery, send data to abackend server, graphical user interface (like entering information intoa radar plot, drag and drop, etc.), multiple choice question andanswers, display media (video, scroll through and blow up photos, playaudio, etc.), rotate objects (images, text boxes, video, etc.), andscripted/triggered effects (e.g. when touched, etc.). The system mayinclude a developer module that allows/facilitates programming access toeffects modules/wizards for programmers (developers or authors withprogramming knowledge/skill) so they may customize such modules beyondthe simple selections allowed to authors. Such enables the system togenerate even more effects. Outside parties may generate templates andwizards that may be accessible to the program and the system mayfacilitate the upload, dissemination, and publication of the same toauthors using the system.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is an internet toolthat may generate an e-pub distribution that may be imported into areading device through a browser, including but not limited to Safari.The tool may include an engine that may be a federated XML-SQL database.Such may perform as persistence layer to ensure that associated e-pubdocuments are maintained through the editing into their final format.Such a system may store data during editing/authoring in anon-transitory form, such as but not limited to being stored on a harddrive and may be continually and/or contemporaneously updated as work isdone by the author and/or other collaborators.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is asoftware-as-a-service system over a network that is designed todevelop/author/produce e-Books thereby opening the scope of who canauthor richly featured eBooks. The system may allow writers to addengaging interaction and content to their storytelling, without aprogrammer's direct intermediation to their creativity. The system mayinclude a collection of visual and interactive objects (which may becalled e-Book templates) that may be used by creators to ease e-Bookdevelopment and which may automatically, when selected, configuredspecific design, formatting, option and capability settings, such as butnot limited to background color/graphic, page size, margins, font(s),colors, text size, kerning, special indicators, graphical interfaces,page settings, special pages, available wizards/effects modules, and thelike and combinations thereof.

The system may be a web-based platform that may enable differentcategories of users to create, expand and publish highly interactivee-Books. Users' categories may be authors, publishers, graphicsdesigners, and user experience/interaction designers. The system mayinclude one or more modules that facilitate and/or enable designers toeasily build and deploy/publish to the community/system eBook templatesthat may be design objects which authors may use on their own to addappealing look and interaction to create they own book. Authors may,through the system, manage an eBook through all the realization steps:creation of an eBook with interaction, check and verification of therealizations and publication on different stores.

The system may integrate facilities for selecting multi-languagesupport, selecting desired level of translation services (provided bythird party organizations, in partnership), providing billing and ordertracking facilities, assembling translated material into localizedcopies of eBook, ensuring second level quality controls, deliveringmultiple eBooks, one per language selected. Such translation informationmay be stored in a relational database, relating such information tountranslated counterparts within the eBook.

The system may be a multiplatform enabled/compatible system and mayallow multi-deployment of itself and/or in publications arisingtherefrom. The system may be cloud-based and therefore be accessibleover a network. Users may be allowed, by the system, to adapt one of theavailable eBook templates to their purposes. The system may use afederation of different databases (e.g. xml and relational ones such asbut not limited to SQL) to store contents and information. The systemmay allow different types of users (free users, premium users) toperform different activities within the framework. The process ofwriting and creation of templates may be guided by the system.

The authors may create their eBooks in various ways, such as but notlimited to: a) by starting from scratch: selecting eBook template,selecting layout for every page, adding text, images, audio and videofile, adding interaction to content; and/or b) by uploading their ownfiles (word, page, wordpad, and etc), importing contents in the selectedeBook template and managing the formatting rules of the eBook in theplatform adding interactions and controls.

The system may open to third-party designers and developers via APIand/or may include one or more modules that: provide a WYSIWYGinterface; perform grammatical and syntax checking; and/or a searchengine of multimedia contents based on keywords (e.g. photos, images,graphics, sounds, songs, videos, links).

The system may integrate one or more modules that: providemulti-language support; facilitate ordering, purchasing, effectuating,and completing a desired level of translation services (which may beprovided by third party modules that may be functionally coupled to thesystem); providing billing and order tracking facilities for one or morecollaborating parties; assembling translated material into localizedcopies of eBook; ensuring second level quality controls; and/orproducing multiple eBooks, e.g. one per language selected.

The system may be designed as software as a service (SaaS) in whichsoftware and associated data are centrally hosted on the cloud, SaaS maybe typically accessed by users via a web browser (e.g. InternetExplorer, Safari, and so on), allowing for Multiplatform Use, e.g.,users may use with any operating system, either a Mac OS or a Windows.

An eBook produced with the system may be in standard format such as butnot limited to ePub, which allows for multiplatformdeployment/consumption. Accordingly, users/readers may deploy the eBookon any device that has an ePub Reader. These readers may be freely andimmediately available for any mobile Oss (e.g. iOS, Android, etc.).

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a system that mayprovide one or more of the following modules: a network of technicalskills to enable creators to tell their stories, by third party API bydesigners & developers as add-on; a search engine of multimedia contentsbased on keywords (e.g. photos, images, grapichs, sounds, songs, videos,links); an e-commerce platform; a proprietary publishing platform; adictionary for the platform language (e.g. if the platform is in Englishthen the dictionary is in English); grammatical and syntax checking;customization; re-use of existing contents; deployment on existingplatforms; print on demand; and the platform may be implemented inEnglish and in Italian, and later in other popular languages such as butnot limited to French, Spanish, German, and Arabic, etc.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a system thatincludes one or more modules that: allows users to create their owneBook through the Authoring Platform, to sell and/or buy books, to beupdated about digital publishing from feeds/mining from/of blogs and/orforums. One or more services may be available through a web site able toperform multiplatform accesses. In this way there may be no/fewlimitations regarding the operating systems and/or devices (desktopcomputers, tablets). The Authoring platform may allow users to createeBooks in a simple and intuitive way using one or more of the followingtools (and/or other tools described herein): modules to managemultimedia and textual contents, modules to manage graphical contentsand modules to manage interactive objects

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is an authoringplatform that may be organized as Software as a Service (SaaS) meaningsoftware and associated data are distributed over the cloud. Users login to the Server through the client accessible within a web browser(Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome, Firefox). The system may provideusers one or more of the functionalities to create an eBook: Contents,Design, Interaction, Deploy, Demo Mode and Customer Care.

The system may include a template and graphic section. The system showsall the available templates; the user selects a template, which isassociated to the book. The Contents section is arranged according tothe chosen template. The system allows the author to choose the Contentssection and adds or chooses a chapter to add a new page. The systemshows the possible layouts. The author adds a page by selecting layout.The layout selection defines what types of contents have to pre providedby the author to create the page.

The system may allow an author in the Interaction section to choose apage of the chapter containing the image to incorporate the rotationinteraction (through an animation wizard/effects module). The effectsmodule may show one or more possible interactions compatible with theselected contents. The author may selects the interaction with a set ofparameters such as but not limited to selectable triggers and effectssuch as but not limited to: start of the interaction “on touch” with a“very slow” velocity with “45°” degrees rotation in “clockwise”direction. Interaction properties are applied to the image.

The final and desired output of the processes described herein willgenerally be an eBook in ePub3.0 format (or another standard format). Inthis way a multiplatform distribution is ensured because ePub3 is astandard that may be reproduced in any device equipped with an eBookreader. Many readers may be available for different OS systems and fordifferent devices, According to the device a suitable reader will beadvised to the user to obtain the best user experience

The system includes a content section that allows users to insertmultimedia content within the eBook and has the following capabilities:insert/Modify book metadata (title, subtitle, authors, ISBN, series,conference); import of the whole content from another source (word, pdffile); insert/modify/eliminate chapters; insert/modify/eliminatechapters titles; drag and drop chapter to modify the order in the book.

The system includes a graphic section proposes a set of possible graphicsolutions per the eBook defines as “templates”; each of the possibletemplates has different layouts for the first page, the summary of thebook and the other components of the book.

The system may include two different families of templates: fixed layouttemplates and free flow templates. The former fix some of the eBookaspects (page dimension, font type and dimension, position of thegraphical and multimedia objects in the pages). Using a fixed layout ispossible to build ad-hoc effects and to organize enhanced rendering forthe pages. The free flow layout is more suited for novel and typicalbooks that don't need any particular organization of the pages.Templates are categorized for type of users (free, full) and type ofpublication (novel, scientific paper). These templates have somepeculiar features able to characterize the eBook. Three non-limitingpossible layouts may be provided for different components of the eBook:first page layout; index layout; and page layout.

FIG. 2 is a module diagram of an effects library module of acomputerized system for creating interactive electronic books, accordingto one embodiment of the invention. There is shown an effects librarymodule 12 including a control module 70, a communication 72, a pluralityof interactive effects wizard modules 14, a wizard management module 36,an administration module 76, an authorization module 78, and a datastorage module 78. Such are in communication, one with another, asneeded to perform their various functions.

The illustrated effects library module 12 is configured to automate codegeneration for customized interactive effects in electronic books and toinclude a plurality of author selectable modules which perform the sameand provide selectable controls over such effects, allowing authors tocustomize the parameters of the same (e.g. timing, target data, userinput(s), acceptable data formats, media files to be acted upon, linkedeffects, etc.). The effects library module 12 is also configured tofacilitate uploading of interactive effects wizard modules into theeffects library module 12 so that developers can incorporate new wizardmodules into the system. The library module 12 may also track the use ofsuch uploaded modules and associate the same with payments, credits,fame, popularity, etc. tracking by the system of particular developersand/or their incorporated creations. The effects library module 12 isconfigured to manage conditional user access to the interactive effectswizard module based on setting selected by authors of the associatedinteractive effects wizard module. Such may be conditional on one ormore characteristics/parameters, including but not limited to payment byan author, author name, boot title, genre of book being authored, authormembership, author status, author popularity, author distributionmeasurements, etc.

The illustrated effects library module 12 includes a control module 70functionally coupled to the modules and components of the effectslibrary module 12. The control module 70 is configured to manageoperational controls, standards, parameters, or settings of the effectslibrary module 12. Non-limiting examples of a control module may be acontrol module described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,836, issued to Wolf etal.; or a control module described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,635, issued toSwan et al. which are incorporated for their supporting teachingsherein. A control module may include but is not limited to a processor,a state machine, a script, a decision tree, and the like.

The illustrated effects library module 12 includes a communicationmodule 72 in communication with the modules and components of theeffects library module 12. The communication module 72 is configured toprovide communication capabilities to the modules and components of theeffects library module 12. Such communication may be wireless,especially in regards to communications over a network, and/or may bewired and/or over a bus, such as may generally be found within aportable communication device. The communication module may also beconfigured to provide a secure method of communication over a network.Non-limiting examples of a communication module may be but not limitedto: a communication module described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,463, issuedto Hyatt et al.; or a communication module described in U.S. Pat. No.6,133,886, issued to Fariello et al. which are incorporated for theirsupporting herein.

The illustrated effects library module 12 includes a plurality ofinteractive effects wizard modules 14 configured to automate codegeneration for customized interactive effects in electronic books. Theinteractive effects wizard modules 14 are configured to automate codegeneration for an effect which may include, but is not limited to, oneor more effects selected from the group of effects consisting of:performing a mathematical function on user input; animating a graphic ona trigger; changing a background to a custom background on a trigger;changing text in a body of text to a user input text on a trigger;changing text in a body of text on a trigger; playing an author uploadedaudio file on a trigger; and scrolling a user view on a trigger otherthan a usual scroll trigger; triggering code generated by an interactiveeffects wizard module; delaying operation of code generated by aninteractive effects wizard module; requesting a user input and storingthe same in memory; operating a user interface effect; changing adisplay characteristic of a displayed object; selecting a displayeditem; sending data on a trigger; controlling the display of media by auser; and randomizing effect.

The illustrated effects library 12 includes a wizard management module36 configured to facilitate uploading of interactive effects wizardmodules 14 into the effects library module 12. The wizard managementmodule 36 is configured to manage conditional user access to theinteractive effects wizard modules 14 based on setting selected byauthors of the associated interactive effects wizard modules 14. Thewizard management module 36 is configured to provide managerialcapabilities to a user of the effects library module 12 and to theinteractive effects wizard modules 14. Non-limiting examples of a wizardmanagement module may be a management system as described in U.S. PatentNo Publication No.: 2010/0042503 by Farmer; or a management module asdescribed in U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2011/0251888 by Faith et al.,which are incorporated for their supporting teachings herein.

The illustrated effects library module 12 includes an administrationmodule 74 configured to provide administrative controls to anadministrator of the effects library module 12. The administrationmodule 74 is configured to set and edit parameters and settings for eachof the modules and components of the effects library module 12. Theadministration module 74 is configured to generate and regulate the useof each author or user profile or account of the effects library module12 over a computerized network. Non-limiting examples of anadministration module may be an administration module as described inU.S. Patent Publication No.: 2011/0125900, by Janssen et al.; or anadministration module as described in U.S. Patent Publication No.:2008/0091790, by Beck, which are incorporated for their supportingteachings herein.

The illustrated effects library module 12 includes an authorizationmodule 76 configured to authorize and authenticate access to the modulesand components of the effects library module 12. The authorizationmodule 76 is configured to verify data from a user, an author, or aviewer of the effects library module 12 before allowing access andlinking capabilities to the users, authors, or viewers of the effectslibrary module 12. Non-limiting examples of an authorization module maybe an authorization module as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,853,993,issued to Vayman; or an authorization module as described in U.S. Pat.No. 7,753,265, issued to Harris, which are incorporated for theirsupporting teachings herein.

The illustrated effects library module 12 includes a data storage module78 in communication with the various modules and components of theeffects library module 12 and configured to store data transferredtherethrough. The data storage module 78 is configured to securely storeuser, author, and viewer account or profile data along withauthentication and authorization codes to access the effects librarymodule 12. The data storage module 78 is configured to store data fromthe effects library module 12, including data from the users of thesystem, data from authors of templates, data from third party viewers ofthe system, and data from the administrators of the system. Data storagemodules may be databases or data files, and the memory storage devicemay be hard drives or tapes. A non-limiting example of a data base isFilemaker Pro 11, manufactured by Filemaker Inc., 5261 Patrick HenryDr., Santa Clara, Calif., 95054. Non-limiting examples of a storagemodule may include: a HP Storage Works P2000 G3 Modular Smart ArraySystem, manufactured by Hewlett-Packard Company, 3000 Hanover Street,Palo Alto, Calif., 94304, USA; or a Sony Pocket Bit USB Flash Drive,manufactured by Sony Corporation of America, 550 Madison Avenue, NewYork, N.Y., 10022.

FIG. 3 is a module diagram of a first database module of a computerizedsystem for creating interactive electronic books, according to oneembodiment of the invention. There is shown a first database module 16includes a control module 70, a relational database 18, a communicationmodule 72, and a data storage module 78. Such are in communication, onewith another, as needed to perform their various functions.

The illustrated first database module 16 is configured to storeinformation associated with electronic book generation includinginformation related to selected interactive effects wizard modules. Thefirst database module 16 is also configured to track the relation ofdisplay objects such that the relational display of the same isselectably preserved during authoring of an electronic book.

The illustrated first database module 16 includes a control module 70functionally coupled to the modules and components of the first databasemodule 16. The control module 70 is configured to manage operationalcontrols, standards, parameters, or settings of the first databasemodule 16.

The illustrated first database module 16 includes a relational module 18stored in a memory device, such as but not limited to a MySQL database,an open source database, by Oracle Corporation of Redwood Shores, Calif.and the F1 system by Google Inc. of Mountain View Calif. The relationalmodule 18 stores information associated with electronic book generationincluding information related to selected interactive effects wizards.Such may be accomplished using a table-style database using tuples andattributes to define relations.

The illustrated first database module 16 includes a communication module72 in communication with the modules and components of the firstdatabase module 16. The communication module 72 is configured to providecommunication capabilities to the modules and components of the firstdatabase module 16. Such communication may be wireless, especially inregards to communications over a network, and/or may be wired and/orover a bus, such as may generally be found within a portablecommunication device. The communication module is also configured toprovide a secure method of communication over a computerized network.

The illustrated first database module 16 includes a data storage module78 in communication with the various modules and components of the firstdatabase module 16 and configured to store data transferredtherethrough. The data storage module 78 is configured to securely storeuser, author, and viewer account or profile data along withauthentication and authorization codes to access the first databasemodule 16. The data storage module 78 is configured to store data fromthe first database module 16, including data from the users of thesystem, data from authors of templates, data from third party viewers ofthe system, and data from the administrators of the system.

FIG. 4 is a module diagram of a second database module of a computerizedsystem for creating interactive electronic books, according to oneembodiment of the invention. There is shown a second database module 22including a control module 70, a communication module 72, anon-relational database 24, and a data storage module 78. Such are incommunication, one with another, as needed to perform their variousfunctions.

The illustrated second database module 22 is in communication withmodules and components of the computerized system over a computerizednetwork. The second database module 22 is configured to not be arelational database, such as but not limited to an XML database engine,such as but not limited to BaseX by BaseX GmbH of Konstanz, Germany. Thesecond database 22 that is not a relational database may be merely adatabase that stores data in a textual data format, such as but notlimited to the Universal Text Data format (UTD) proposed by Jukka K.Korpela at http://www.cs.tut.fi/˜jkorpela/data/utd.html.

The illustrated second database module 22 includes a control module 70functionally coupled to the modules and components of the seconddatabase module 22. The control module 70 is configured to manageoperational controls, standards, parameters, or settings of the seconddatabase module 22.

The illustrated second database module 22 includes a communicationmodule 72 in communication with the modules and components of the seconddatabase module 22. The communication module 72 is configured to providecommunication capabilities to the modules and components of the seconddatabase module 22. Such communication may be wireless, especially inregards to communications over a network, and/or may be wired and/orover a bus, such as may generally be found within a portablecommunication device. The communication module is also configured toprovide a secure method of communication over a computerized network.

The illustrated second database module 22 includes a data storage module78 in communication with the various modules and components of thesecond database module 22 and is configured to store data transferredtherethrough. The data storage module 78 is configured to securely storeuser, author, and viewer account or profile data along withauthentication and authorization codes to access the second databasemodule 22. The data storage module 78 is configured to store data fromthe second database module 22, including data from the users of thesystem, data from authors of templates, data from third party viewers ofthe system, and data from the administrators of the system.

FIG. 5 is a module diagram of a database federation module of acomputerized system for creating interactive electronic books, accordingto one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a database federationmodule 26 including a. control module 70, a communication module 72, adata storage module 78, a processor 28, and a template management module38. Such are in communication, one with another, as needed to performtheir various functions.

The illustrated database federation module 26 is in communication withthe modules and components of the system 10 over a computerized network45. The database federation module 26 is functionally coupled betweenthe first database and the second database such that changes to one ofthe first and second databases is automatically updated in the other.Such databases may he remote from each other or may exist within asingle server, even stored on the same data storage device.

The illustrated database federation module 26 includes a control module70 functionally coupled to the modules and components of the databasefederation module 26. The control module 70 is configured to manageoperational controls, standards, parameters, or settings of the databasefederation module 26.

The illustrated database federation module 26 includes a communicationmodule 72 in communication with the modules and components of thedatabase federation module 26. The communication module 72 is configuredto provide communication capabilities to the modules and components ofthe database federation module 26. Such communication may be wireless,especially in regards to communications over a network, and/or may bewired and/or over a bus, such as may generally be found within aportable communication device. The communication module is alsoconfigured to provide a secure method of communication over acomputerized network.

The illustrated database federation module 26 includes a data storagemodule 78 in communication with the various modules and components ofthe database federation module 26 and configured to store datatransferred therethrough. The data storage module 78 is configured tosecurely store user, author, and viewer account or profile data alongwith authentication and authorization codes to access the databasefederation module 26. The data storage module 78 is configured to storedata from the database federation module 26, including data from theusers of the system, data from authors of templates, data from thirdparty viewers of the system, and data from the administrators of thesystem.

The illustrated database federation module 26 includes a processor 28functionally coupled between the first database and the second databasesuch that changes to one of the first and second databases isautomatically updated in the other. The processor 28 is configured tocompute data received from the first database module and the seconddatabase module through a computerized network. Non-limiting examples ofa processor may be a processor module as described in U.S. Pat. No.6,516,373, issued to Talbot et al.; or a processor module as describedin U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2006/0155955, by Gschwind et al., whichare incorporated for their supporting teachings herein.

The illustrated database federation module 26 includes a templatemanagement module 38 in communication with the modules and components ofthe system 10 over a computerized network. The template managementmodule 38 includes a library of templates effects selectable by anauthor for use in authoring an electronic book. Non-limiting examples ofa template management module may be a management system as described inU.S. Patent No Publication No.: 2010/0042503 by Farmer; or a managementmodule as described in U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2011/0251888 byFaith et al., which are incorporated for their supporting teachingsherein.

FIG. 6 is a module diagram of a user interface module of a computerizedsystem for creating interactive electronic books, according to oneembodiment of the invention. There is shown a user interface module 30including a control module 70, a communication module 72, a data storagemodule 78, an interface module 80, a network module 32, and a profilemodule 82. Such are in communication, one with another, as needed toperform their various functions.

The illustrated user interface module 30 is in communication with themodules and components of the computerized system over a computerizednetwork. The user interface module 30 is functionally coupled to each ofthe effects library module and the first database module such that auser selectably manipulates the same in creation of an electronic book.The first database stores authoring progress information and wherein theuser interface module 30 uses such stored authoring progress informationto return to an editing state on request from an author or user.

The illustrated user interface module 30 includes a control module 70functionally coupled to the modules and components of the user interfacemodule 30. The control module 70 is configured to manage operationalcontrols, standards, parameters, or settings of the user interfacemodule 30.

The illustrated user interface module 30 includes a communication module72 in communication with the modules and components of the userinterface module 30. The communication module 72 is configured toprovide communication capabilities to the modules and components of theuser interface module 30. Such communication may be wireless, especiallyin regards to communications over a network, and/or may be wired and/orover a bus, such as may generally be found within a portablecommunication device. The communication module is also configured toprovide a secure method of communication over a computerized network.

The illustrated user interface module 30 includes a data storage module78 in communication with the various modules and components of the userinterface module 30 and configured to store data transferredtherethrough. The data storage module 78 is configured to securely storeuser, author, and viewer account or profile data along withauthentication and authorization codes to access the user interfacemodule 30. The data storage module 78 is configured to store data fromthe user interface module 30, including data from the users of thesystem, data from authors of templates, data from third party viewers ofthe system, and data from the administrators of the system.

The illustrated user interface module 30 includes an interface module 80or an adaptive graphical user interface module, G.U.I. module isconfigured to provide individual user interface capabilities with themodules and components of the computerized system over a computerizednetwork. The interface module 80 is configured to provide one or moreinterfaces for accessing the computerized system over a computerizednetwork. Such may include one or more graphical user interfaces that maybe embodied in software instructions for controlling display on adisplay (such as but not limited to a TV, monitor, cell phone/tabletscreen, etc.) and/or for routing signals from an input device (such asbut not limited to a keyboard, touchscreen, mouse, etc.) such that auser may perform data entries or queries in the computerized system,issue suggestions or recommendations, and receive data informationtherefrom. Such may be embodied in one or more user interfaces thatpermit browsing of the computerized system. Such may be embodied in oneor more user interfaces that permit service personnel or administratorsto make adjustments, changes, and otherwise provide personal profile oraccount updates to the computerized system. Such may be embodied in oneor more user interfaces that permit review of data from the system, suchas but not limited to template data, interactive effects data, profiledata, management data, database usage, etc. Non-limiting examples of aninterface module may be a HTML player, client server application, Javascript application. A non-limiting example of an interface module isFlowPlayer 3.1, manufactured by FlowPlayer LTD, Hannuntie 8 D, ESPOO02360, Helsinki, Finland. Non-limiting examples of a display/interfacemodule may be a display/interface module as described in U.S. Pat. No.6,272,562, issued to Scott et al.; a touch screen interface module asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,202 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,609, issuedto Arjomand, which are incorporated for their supporting teachingsherein.

The illustrated user interface module 30 includes a network module 32having a network communication device configured to be in communicationwith a computerized network. The network module may be configured tomimic, generate, reproduce and/or be in communication with a network,such as, but not limited to those known as: the first database module,the second database module, the database federation module, etc. Thenetwork module may be configured to link a user or author's templates orbooks to a network and/or to other users/visitors of the computerizedsystem.

The illustrated user interface module 30 includes a profile module 82 incommunication with the control module 70 and the communication module 72and configured to manage and store personal user or author settings,preferences, and parameters for use with the system. The profile module82 is configured to store user template and database preferences andinterests, based upon user input and also previous user history.Non-limiting examples of a profile module may be a user accountincluding demographic information about a user as well as preferenceinformation about a user that is associated therewith. Such informationmay include preferred usage, objectives, and the like and combinationsthereof. Such may be embodied in a database or other datastructure/hierarchy such that the data associated with each ay be usedby one or more modules described herein and/or may be altered and/oradded to by one or more modules described herein.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of creating interactive electronicbooks over a computerized network, according to one embodiment of theinvention. There is shown a method of creating interactive electronicbooks over a computerized network 50. While the illustration displays anorder to the described steps, it is understood that such steps may beperformed in a different order and that some steps may be performedmultiple times during the course of creating an electronic book.

The illustrated method of creating interactive electronic books 50includes the step of providing a template management module thatincludes a library of templates and/or effects selectable by an authorfor use in authoring an electronic book 51. Accordingly, an author mayselect from one or more templates and/or effects so provided to use ingenerating an eBook. Generally, such will occur at least at an initialphase of creating an eBook. However, even template election may occur ata different time, later in the process, as such templates may be codedsuch that existing content may be integrated therein automatically.

The illustrated method of creating interactive electronic books 50includes the step of automatically generating code for creatinginteractive effects in electronic books in response to author inputusing an effects library module including a plurality of interactiveeffects wizard modules 52. Accordingly, an author need not be able toprogram to be able to create programmed effects. The system itselfgenerates the desired effects based on selections made by the authorduring the use of such modules.

The illustrated method 50 includes the step of storing informationassociated with electronic book generation including information relatedto selected interactive effects wizard modules using a first databasemodule including a relational database stored in a memory device and asecond database module including a database that is not a relationaldatabase 54. Thus such information is stored in a manner that permitsrelational storage of information as well as freeform storage. Thisincreases the ease of publishing to multiple formats, speeds editing,facilitates the creation process, etc.

The illustrated method of creating interactive electronic books 50includes the step of automatically updating changes to one of the firstand second databases when the other is updated using a databasefederation module including a processor functionally coupled between thefirst database and the second database 56. Such may occur by fixing adatabase as a master storage database and automatically propagatingchanges to the same to the other database. Generally some datatranslation, cleaning, etc. will need to occur during that process sinceeach database stores data in a different manner. Since the two databasesare generally updated continually, the benefits experienced by havingboth forms of data storage are instantly available at virtually alltimes.

The method of creating interactive electronic books 50 includes the stepof selectably manipulating one of the first and second databases increation of an electronic book in response to user commands receivedover a network module including a network communication device over anetwork 58. Such may occur as storing authored content on one or more ofthe databases. Such may occur as automatically adjusting relationalinformation associated with an eBook in response to a change in templateused therewith. Such may occur as editing a table, such as but notlimited to adding a new relation, attribute or tuple, such as but notlimited to in response to an author/publisher selecting that a work betranslated to another language, thus requiring that all relations becopied and then modified during the translation process.

The method 50 includes the step of facilitating uploading of interactiveeffects wizard modules into the effects library module and managingconditional user access to the same based on setting selected by authorsof the associated interactive effects wizard module. Such may includeproviding an upload utility with a module manager that may be associatedwith an account management module that allows uploaders to upload filesin association with an account and to set attributes of the same, whichmay determine accessibility and publishing options for such uploadedwizards. Accordingly, developers may independently create and uploadeffects wizards for use by authors and may, through the system, transactbusiness in regards to use of the same. A similar structure may be inplace for designers to upload templates, graphic art, backgrounds, audiofiles, etc.

The illustrated method of creating interactive electronic books 50includes the step of storing authoring progress information andreturning an editing interface to an editing state on request from anauthor based on stored authoring progress information 62. Such may beaccomplished by storing relational information about authoring/editingof a particular eBook, such as but not limited to open windows, recentselections, undo history, cursor position, editing notes, communicationswith developer/design accounts, recent purchases, common selections madein wizards, common wizards used, common effects targets, and the likeand combinations thereof.

The method 50 also includes the step of tracking the relation of displayobjects such that the relational display of the same is selectablypreserved during authoring of an electronic book. Such may beaccomplished by storing information in regards to display objects withina relational database.

Advantageously, the method described herein allows for authoring of veryfeature rich eBooks heretofore only accessible to authors who areprogrammers or who are willing to spend great sums in programming thesame. Further, the authoring, editing, publishing, translating, etc.processes involved in creation of an eBook are simplified andcentralized for the benefit of all parties involved.

FIG. 8 is a system diagram of a computerized system for creatinginteractive electronic books showing interfacing amongst authors,developers and designers, according to one embodiment of the invention.There is shown an author, a developer, and a designer, each incommunication with portions of a networked system configured tofacilitate collaborative development of eBooks.

In particular, the author is interactively in communication with aneBook builder module and an eBook management module, configured,respectively to build eBooks and to manage the same through postcreation processes such as but not limited to translation andpublication. Through such modules, the author is able to be serviced bythe core engine and other modules which support the functions desired bythe author, including interactivity with developers and designers,either directly through communication between user accounts, orindirectly by selecting content/wizards developed by the same.

The developer and designer are in communication, respectively, with theinteractions management module and the templates management module,which, provide management tools needed by the developer and designer inorder to build and make available effects wizards and templates (andother media content) for use by the author. Through the same, thedeveloper and designer are able to be served by the core engine andother modules in order to allow them to realize their contribution toeBook development.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating functions of a computerizedsystem for creating interactive electronic books, according to oneembodiment of the invention. In particular, such a system may include awebsite that may bring together, through various interfaces, authors,editors, publishers, readers, developers, designers, critics,commentators, and the like to a single central eBook system whereineBooks may be developed, published, consumed, compared, revised,serialized and the like with all interested parties being involvedthrough user interfaces including but not limited to editing modules,developer modules, user account management modules, blogs, discussionforums, website user portals, eBook viewers, programming suites, mediadevelopment tools (e.g. image editing modules, sound editing modules,template development modules, etc.), and the like and combinationsthereof. The illustration may be seen as a “big picture” guide forvarious pages of a website servicing such a variety of interestedparties.

FIG. 10 is a prophetic example of an electronic book template inoperation, according to one embodiment of the invention. In particular,the illustrated template is an example of how a template may be morethan merely page layout, font selections and graphical decorations, butmay include programmed effects and may fundamentally change how contentis displayed.

In particular, the illustrated template in operation displays dialoguecontent between various voices in a story as if they are text messagesbetween the parties/characters. Such dialogue is automaticallyassociated with a particular character by placement of the dialogue boxand adjacent association with a graphical representation of thecharacter. Non-dialogue content (e.g. narration, etc.) is displayedinset into the conversation (e.g. “Neytiri ignores him, assuming aprayer posture over the dead animal.”) and not associated with aparticular character. In such a template, the authoring interface mayclosely resemble writing a screenplay, with portions of text associatedwith or stored in relation to characters and in relation to prior andsubsequent lines as well as indicating who is speaking and associatingone or more graphical representations with characters, scenes, settings,emotions, events, and the like and combinations thereof. Such a templatemay be compatible with other templates that use similar relationalschema such as but not limited to templates for writing screenplays,musicals, conversational style teaching eBooks, and the like andcombinations thereof.

In the illustrated example (themed after the 2009 movie Avatar writtenand directed by James Cameron), Jake (on the right side of the page) isin dialogue with Neytiri (on the left side of the page). There is abackground to the dialogue representing the scene or setting. Thetemplate may include an effect wherein once a user has scrolled orotherwise moved through the dialogue to a particular point, thebackground image may animate, shift, be replaced, or otherwise change inautomatic response to the readers position within the dialogue. Othereffects, such as but not limited to text cloud background color changes,animated faux typing of text messages (e.g. the reader experiences thetexting as if they are watching one or more of the characters actuallytyping in their messages, which may include a visual effect of typing amessage but not sending it or editing before sending.

FIGS. 11-16 are screenshots of a computerized system and method ofcreating interactive electronic books, according to one embodiment ofthe invention. The screenshots illustrate a graphical user interfacewherein an author selects a template from a plurality of templates andthen progresses through user interface screens that permit authoring andpublication of the same.

FIG. 17 is a screenshot of a user interface for an interactive effectswizard module. The user interface is in the Italian language. In theillustrated interface there is a set of selectable customizationparameters tor an animated effect of causing a graphical image torotate. In particular, the user may select from a drop down menu withregard to how the effect initiates (“Inizia”) and the currently selectedparameter is that the effect initiates “on touch” (“al tocco”), whichwould be when clicked on by the user. Another illustrated parameterselectably changeable through the interface is the amount of rotation(“Quantita”) and the selected parameter is 45 degrees. Still anotherillustrated parameter selectably changeable through the interface is thedirection of the rotation (“Direzione”) and the selected parameter isclockwise (“orario”). Still yet another illustrated parameter selectablychangeable through the interface is the rotational velocity (“Velocita”)and the selected parameter is very slow (“molto lento”).

Once the parameters are selected, the interactive effects wizard moduleautomatically generates the software code needed to cause the effect tooccur and integrates it into the database(s) of the system so that whenpublished, the e-book will automatically include the desired customizedeffect without requiring the author to write code for the effect.Accordingly, authors with no experience in coding may be able to morefully utilize the multifaceted abilities of e-books instead of beingstuck with simply laying text across a page.

It is understood that the above-described embodiments are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentinvention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thedescribed embodiment is to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above withparticularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed tobe the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it willbe apparent, to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size,materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly anduse may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts ofthe invention as set forth in the claims. Further, it is contemplatedthat an embodiment may be limited to consist of or to consistessentially of one or more of the features, functions, structures,methods described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computerized system for creating interactiveelectronic books over a network, comprising: a) an effects librarymodule including a plurality of interactive effects wizard modules thatautomate code generation for customized interactive effects inelectronic books; b) a first database module including a relationaldatabase stored in a memory device that stores information associatedwith electronic book generation information related to selectedinteractive effects wizard modules; c) a second database moduleincluding a database that is not a relational database; d) a databasefederation module including a processor functionally coupled between thefirst database and the second database such that changes to one of thefirst and second databases are automatically updated in the other; ande) a user interface module functionally coupled to each of the effectslibrary module and the first database module such that a user mayselectably manipulate the same in creation of an electronic book andincluding a network module including a network communication device overa network.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the effects library modulefurther comprises a wizard management module that facilitates uploadingof interactive effects wizard modules into the effects library moduleand manages conditional user access to the same based on settingselected by authors of the associated interactive effects wizard module.3. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the interactive effects wizardmodules automates code generation for an effect selected from the groupof effects consisting of: performing a mathematical function on userinput; animating a graphic on a trigger; changing a background to acustom background on a trigger; changing text in a body of text to auser input text on a trigger; changing text in a body of text on atrigger; playing an author uploaded audio file on a trigger; andscrolling a user view on a trigger other than a usual scroll trigger;triggering code generated by an interactive effects wizard module;delaying operation of code generated by an interactive effects wizardmodule; requesting a user input and storing the same in memory;operating a user interface effect; changing a display characteristic ofa displayed object; selecting a displayed item; sending data on atrigger; controlling the display of media by a user; and randomizing aneffect.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the relational database storesauthoring progress information and wherein the user interface moduleuses such stored authoring progress information to return to an editingstate on request from an author.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein thedatabase that is not a relational database is a textual data format. 6.The system of claim 1, further comprising a template management modulethat includes a library of templates effects selectable by an author foruse in authoring an electronic book.
 7. The system of claim 1, whereinthe relational database tracks the relation of display objects such thatthe relational display of the same is selectably preserved duringauthoring of an electronic nook.
 8. A computerized system for creatinginteractive electronic books over a network, comprising: a) an effectslibrary module including a plurality of interactive effects wizardmodules that automate code generation for interactive effects inelectronic books; b) a first database module including a relationaldatabase stored in a memory device that stores information associatedwith electronic book generation including information related toselected interactive effects wizard modules; and c) a user interfacemodule functionally coupled to each of the effects library module andthe first database module such that a user may selectably manipulate thesame in creation of an electronic book and including a network moduleincluding a network communication device over a network.
 9. The systemof claim 8, wherein the effects library module further comprises awizard management module that facilitates uploading of interactiveeffects wizard modules into the effects library module and managesconditional user access to the same based on setting selected by authorsof the associated interactive effects wizard module.
 10. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the relational database stores authoring progressinformation and wherein the user interface module uses such storedauthoring progress information to return to an editing state on requestfrom an author.
 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising templatemanagement module that includes a library of templates effectsselectable by an author for use in authoring an electronic book.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the relational database tracks the relationof display objects such that the relational display of the same isselectably preserved during authoring of an electronic book.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, further comprising: c) a second database moduleincluding a database that is not a relational database; d) a databasefederation module including a processor functionally coupled between thefirst database and the second database such that changes to one of thefirst and second databases are automatically updated in the other; and14. A computerized system for creating interactive electronic books overa network, comprising: a) a first database module including a relationaldatabase stored in a memory device that stores information associatedwith electronic book generation including information related toselected interactive effects wizard modules; b) a second database moduleincluding a database that is not a relational database; c) a databasefederation module including a processor functionally coupled between thefirst database and the second database such that changes to one of thefirst and second databases are automatically updated in the other; andd) a user interface module functionally coupled to each of the effectslibrary module and the first database module such that a user mayselectably manipulate the same in creation of an electronic book andincluding a network module including a network communication device overa network.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the relational databasetracks the relation of display objects such that the relational displayof the same is selectably preserved during authoring of an electronicbook.
 16. The system of claim 16, further comprising a templatemanagement module that includes a library of templates effectsselectable by an author for use in authoring an electronic book.
 17. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the database that is not a relationaldatabase is a textual data format.
 18. The system of claim 18, whereinthe relational database stores authoring progress information andwherein the user interface module uses such stored authoring progressinformation to return to an editing state on request from an author. 19.The system of claim 19, further comprising an effects library moduleincluding a plurality of interactive effects wizard modules thatautomate code generation for interactive effects in electronic books.20. The system of claim 19, wherein the effects library module furthercomprises a wizard management module that facilitates uploading ofinteractive effects wizard modules into the effects library module andmanages conditional user access to the same based on setting selected byauthors of the associated interactive effects wizard module.
 21. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein one of the interactive effects wizardmodules automates code generation for an effect selected from the groupof effects consisting of: performing a mathematical function on userinput; animating a graphic on a trigger; changing a background to acustom background on a trigger; changing text in a body of text to auser input text on a trigger; changing text in a body of text on atrigger; playing an author uploaded audio file on a trigger; andscrolling a user view on a trigger other than a usual scroll trigger;triggering code generated by an interactive effects wizard module;delaying operation of code generated by an interactive effects wizardmodule; requesting a user input and storing the same in memory;operating a user interface effect; changing a display characteristic ofa displayed object; selecting a displayed item; sending data on atrigger; controlling the display of media by a user; and randomizing aneffect.
 22. A method of creating interactive electronic books using acomputerized system over a network, comprising the steps of: a)automatically generating code for creating interactive effects inelectronic books in response to author input using an effects librarymodule including a plurality of interactive effects wizard modules; b)storing information associated with electronic book generation includinginformation related to selected interactive effects wizard modules usinga first database module including a relational database stored in amemory device and a second database module including a database that isnot a relational database; c) automatically updating changes to one ofthe first and second databases when the other is updated using adatabase federation module including a processor functionally coupledbetween the first database and the second database; and e) selectablymanipulating one of the first and second databases in creation of anelectronic book in response to user commands received over a networkmodule including a network communication device over a network.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, further comprising the steps of facilitatinguploading of interactive effects wizard modules into the effects moduleand managing conditional user access to the same based on settingselected by authors of the associated interactive effects wizard module.24. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of storingauthoring progress information and returning an editing interface to anediting state on request from an author based on stored authoringprogress information.
 25. The method of claim 22, further comprising thestep of providing a template management module that includes a libraryof templates effects selectable by an author for use in authoring anelectronic book.
 26. The method of claim 22, further comprising the stepof tracking the relation of display objects such that the relationaldisplay of the same is selectably preserved during authoring of anelectronic book.